Sammy not one to lead the charge

Stand-in Liverpool boss Sammy Lee is desperate to get sick Spaniards Rafa Benitez and Fernando Torres back on their feet for the holiday programme.

Published 24th December 2008

Sammy Lee

I think the quality and class of Torres in any football team is obviously going to be missed, but that is why you have squads

Sammy Lee

And then the club will charge their manager and star striker with leading the assault to take the league crown back to Anfield for the first time since 1990.

Kop boss Benitez was again absent from duty yesterday following a second minor operation to clear up his kidney stones, leaving Lee, his No.2, in charge.

But Lee will be far happier when he can hand back control to Benitez, with two vital games coming up at home to Bolton on Boxing Day and at Newcastle on Sunday.

“Rafa is a terrific manager,” said Lee. “He has undergone a second minor operation, which went well.

“He’s feeling a little better and is hoping to be back for the game against Bolton on Boxing Day.

“His presence has been missed, but he has organised everything in such a way that there have been very little ripples.

“He is getting better. Try and stop him being back on that training pitch when he is fit.”

Torres is also on Liverpool’s wish list to get fit fast. He has been plagued by assorted injury problems this season, with the latest being a hamstring strain that has kept him out of the last five games.

However, there are no plans to risk him until he has proved he is 100 per cent ready.

Lee added: “He is improving. He has been working very, very hard with his rehabilitation.

“I don’t want to give any clues as to when he will be back. As regards the Christmas period, I will say his rehab is coming on well.

“We will know when he is ready and 100 per cent to go back into the team.

“I think the quality and class of Torres in any football team is obviously going to be missed, but that is why you have squads.

“It speaks volumes for the squad that they have managed to get to the top without him for long periods.

“We have had our critics, that is the nature of being at this football club, but at this precise moment we are top. It speaks volumes for the commitment, desire, character and togetherness of this club.”